The King Hassan II Mosque
One of the largest mosques in the world, and the largest in
Morocco, the King Hassan II Mosque was designed by French
architect, Michel Pinseau. It is affectionately nicknamed the
'Casablanca Hajj'. Perched on the edge of the city of Casablanca,
this picturesque structure looks out over the Atlantic Ocean and
features one of the world's tallest minarets, towering at 689 feet
(210m). The minaret is 60 storeys high and topped by a laser which
points towards Mecca.
Almost half of the massive mosque lies over the Atlantic, and
the water can be seen through a gigantic glass floor. This feature
was inspired by a verse in the Qur'an: 'the throne of God was built
on water'. The mosque can accommodate over 100,000 worshippers. The
design is a mixture of classic Islamic architecture and Moroccan
elements and it was worked on by hundreds of Morocco's best
craftsmen, finally being inaugurated in 1993. The massive cost of
building such an impressive mosque was a source of contention in
the poor country, but it is now viewed with pride by locals and is
a popular tourist attraction. Thankfully, the Hassan II mosque is
open to non-Muslims, but to explore the magnificent interior you
must take a guided tour which can be conducted in several
languages. Visitors will be expected to dress appropriately and
will have to remove their shoes.
Hassan II Mosque
Andrew E. Larsen
The Shrine of Sidi Abderrahman
Located past the ocean-side neighbourhood of the Corniche, the
Shrine of Sidi Abderrahman is built on a rock out at sea and is
only accessible at low tide. Non-Muslims are not allowed to enter
the shrine, but travellers wishing to explore the tiny
neighbourhood around it are permitted to do so. Most visitors just
opt to admire it from a distance, catching a glimpse of the shrine
and its breathtaking white walls while walking along the beach.
Traditionally, people visit this shrine to heal mental illness and
it is one of Morocco's most famous coastal shrines.
The Corniche was once a thriving resort area and there are still
many hotels, nightclubs and restaurants lining the coastal
boulevard (Boulevard de la Corniche), but many of these now look
somewhat rundown and there is a sense that the place is past its
prime. The Boulevard de l'Ocean Atlantique is now the more
glamourous street, where newer and more upmarket accommodation can
be found. One thing the Corniche neighbourhood does have in
abundance is international fast food chains and this in combination
with the American-style movie theatre makes it a good place to
visit for those needing a comforting taste of home.
Sidi Abderrahman Shrine, Morocco
Bernard Gagnon
Casablanca Twin Centre
Designed by a Spanish architect, the Casablanca Twin Centre
features two skyscrapers which are 28-storeys tall and tower above
the city at 377 feet (115m). Known as La Grande Casa, the buildings
house offices, businesses, a five-storey shopping mall and a
luxury, five star hotel. The towers are the tallest buildings in
the city and are situated in the Maarif district, at the
intersection between Zerktouni Boulevard and Al Massira Al Khadra
Boulevard.
The two towers, named the East Tower and the West Tower, are
joined at the lower levels by a large complex which contains the
bulk of the shopping centre. Above this section, the East Tower
contains the five-star Kenzi Tower Hotel, while the West Tower
holds part of the shopping centre and offices. The spa, bar and
restaurant facilities in the hotel are open to non-residents and
the panoramic restaurant on the 27th floor is particularly popular.
The locals are proud of the building because it represents the
modernisation of Casablanca, and it is a great attraction for
tourists looking to do some shopping, fine dining, or just to get
some wonderful views of the city.
Casablanca Twin Centre
HombreDHojalata
Casablanca is regulated by a mild, Mediterranean climate, with
cool Atlantic currents which are primarily responsible for the
moderate weather. Summers (between July and September) are warm and
dry, while winters (between November and February) are mild and
rainy.
The hottest months are July, August and September, when the
average temperatures range between 68°F (20°C) and 79°F (26°C), and
the coldest months are January and February, when the average
temperatures range between 47°F (8°C) and 64°F (18°C). Rain is most
common between November and April and it is generally dry in
summer.
Casablanca is a year-round travel destination, but the best time
to visit the city is between March and October. July and August are
the most popular months to travel there, but spring and autumn are
also pleasant seasons and a good option for those wanting to avoid
crowds. Travellers to Casablanca, no matter what season, are
advised to pack lightweight clothing for when the sun is shining,
and at least one solid windbreaker to repel cold sea breezes.
Casablanca Mohammed V Airport
Location: The airport is situated 21 miles (34km) south of
Casablancas centre.
Time: GMT 0 (GMT +1 during daylight
savings)
Transfer Between Terminals:
The terminals are connected by a free shuttle.
Getting to the city:
Trains leave the airport for Casa-Voyageurs station roughly
every hour between about 3am and 10pm; the trip takes approximately
30 minutes. Most hotels will arrange airport transfers, either
complimentary or for a fee. Taxis and rental cars are also
available.
Car Rental:
There are numerous car hire companies represented at the airport
including Avis, Budget, and Hertz.
Airport Taxis:
Taxis are available outside the airport terminal, operating 24
hours per day. The base rate for a journey to Casablanca is about
MAD 20.
Fascilities:
The airport has shops, restaurants and bars, ATMs and currency
exchange services, and a post office. There are tourist information
desks, VIP Lounges, a business centre, and disabled facilities,
although it is recommended that those with special needs contact
their airline in advance.
Parking
Short and long-term parking is available at the airport for a
fee.
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Casablanca is a large and chaotic city and first-time
visitors may find getting around a daunting prospect. Fiat Uno
taxis provide metered services in the central metropolitan areas.
Registered taxis can be easily hailed from just about anywhere in
the city and are easily identified by their red colour. There are
also bigger, white taxis available. Both kinds are usually shared
and the drivers may wait till the vehicle is full before setting
off, or stop en route to pick up more passengers. The white taxis
can also be hired by the hour or day and many travellers choose to
do this. Keep in mind that a large surcharge goes into effect later
into the evening, making taxi fares much higher at night.
Casablanca does have a bus system; however, it is
often confusing for visitors as there are many companies operating
on different routes, at varying prices, and on unreliable
schedules. Rental car agencies can be found throughout the city,
but those opting to drive themselves should be cautious due to
chaotic driving conditions and high accident rates. Visitors might
choose to forego the buses and car hire in favour of the trams
which cover most of Casablanca and are new and efficient.
Despite the apparent chaos, many of the main sights
and attractions of Casablanca are situated close together and can
be explored on foot. When travelling by means of public transport
and when walking, travellers should not display wealth and should
try not to draw attention to themselves.
Casablanca may not be as attractive to tourists as
the charismatic Marrakech or the capital, Rabat, but there are
still sightseeing opportunities for travellers passing through and
a day or two in Casablanca won't go unrewarded. Furthermore, it is
possible to do a day-trip to Casablanca from a number of Morocco's
more prominent tourist destinations, thanks to the country's modern
rail network.
The main landmark is the enormous King Hassan II
Mosque, perched over the ocean. This is one of the largest mosques
in the world and, unusually, is open to non-Muslims. The Shrine of
Sidi Abderrahman, built on a rock out at sea and only accessible at
low tide, is also a fascinating site, but regrettably non-Muslims
cannot enter; however, it is still worth exploring the little
village which has grown around the shrine.
Although not quite as majestic as the medinas of Fez
or Marrakech, the ancient walled part of Casablanca is still
definitely worth a visit. This part of town predates the French
protectorate and has undergone work to restore the bastion and
clock tower to their former glory.
For a taste of modern Morocco, enjoy the restaurants,
shops, and views of the Casablanca Twin Centre, the tallest
buildings in the country. Good museums in Casablanca include the
Musée Abderrahman Slaoui, which has a wonderful art collection, and
the Museum of Moroccan Judaism, which offers some useful insight
into Jewish history in North Africa.
Hassan II Mosque
Andrew E. Larsen
Sidi Abderrahman Shrine, Morocco
Bernard Gagnon
Casablanca Twin Centre
HombreDHojalata
